Viva La France?

Before you think I've lost my mind, I just want to clarify that the only good thing to come out of France ever is Tony Parker...point guard for the San Antonio Spurs.

At this writing, they are 3 points up, and 2:42 left. IF they win, they'll go up 3 games to 1.

I think I'm looking at a San Antonio/Cleveland Finals. The Cavs had a great final minute or two against the Nets tonight.

Stuff

Well, it's Saturday, and I don't have to work...at least at my place of employment.

I'm doing the whole hosuework thing because of the whole Mother's Day thing tomorrow. If I can, I'll post something for all the Moms out there.

Game 3 tonight between the Spurs and Suns. San Antonio had better show up, instead of the Memphis Grizzlies, who inahbited their bodies in game 2. We'll see what happens.

The boys watched SpiderMan last night, and they've got their web-slinging form down pat.

Long time no see

Well, sports fans, sorry it's been a while, but I have been working 12 hour days and being extremely tired. Some things happened at work and suffice to say I am earning my keep now. So, let's see what's been going on.

Dallas and Houston lost in the 1st round of the playoffs, so da Spurs are the only Texas team still alive. We'll see how they do this next round. Hopefully, they won't pull a Dallas and (chortle) lose. But, they're playing Phoenix, and they're better than Golden State. But, apparently, so were the (chuckle) Mavericks. Until Game seven of the first round. I finished celebrating yesterday.

The Texas Rangers suck (yet again). Let's not go there.

Connor learned a new joke, and we have heard it about a million times now... (stop me if you've heard it): Why is six afraid of seven? Because seven eight (ate) nine!!

I'm also trying to lose weght. Key word: TRYING. I have the willpower....I just like tasty food. Anyone who has it, give me some good recipes that make all low-fat food taste like chocolate cake.

Oh, yeah, best thing...I finally have A/C in my truck after 3 years!! YAY!!

More things to come, and I'll post more.

Work

I'm back in the workforce, and I am in charge!! Supervisor....I ran into someone I used to work with, and she called me jokingly (I hope) a "Stupidvisor".

I'm tired every day, but it's a good tired. More later. I'm tired.

Annoying ads & the move

Sorry....no YouTube here or anything. Just an observation.

I was watching TV, and an ad for Boniva came on with Sally Field saying, "A friend of mine told me she had to set aside time every week to take her osteoporosis medication." I was thinking, "Yeah, that extra 15-20 seconds of opening the bottle, taking the pill, and closing the bottle is WAY too time-consuming."

Anyway......

We finally moved into "The van down by the river". It will feel more like home when my better half puts up the curtains. It doesn't even seem like a mobile home...or at least, it didn't until the other day when we were leaving a big-box retailer, and there was a semi with a trailer in the parking lot. Logan gasped, pointed to the big rig, and said, "Mommy, that looks like our house!!"

Sadly enough, he's right.

Jobs and baseball

Well, I have a few offers out there. One I REALLY want, and I just got an interview for a sporting goods manager job tomorrow. We'll see how it goes.

On more news, we signed the twins up for Tee Ball. They can hit so well I think I'll take them to Texas Rangers spring training....they could be the DH's (if they put the ball on the tees for them). Seriously, they're good batting...I'm working on fielding. Try-outs are Saturday. Hopefully they'll make the same team.

Well, I got a job with Terminix. I started the paperwork, and my measurements were taken for my uniform, and then I got a call that there was no money to hire me, so I was let go.

I have more irons in the fire, so there's still hope.

Also, we're moving into a new place. It needed a paint job, so I am putting a new coat (or two) on. I feel like I'm about 95 right now.

Alright, alright....

I have been busy over the last few weeks. The biggest news is that I got a new job!! Yay!! Now, I just have to stick with it, but there is room for advancement, and my supervisors are nice, SMART, hard-working people who know about family time.

The job is for Terminix, as a termite technician. I will be making sure the little boogers don't eat people's hosues by setting bait for them.

Now, on to other news.

I am speechless about my one guilty pleasure, American Idol. You would think, after 4 plus years as a paramedic, I would shy from train wrecks. But, there is just something about watching people who can't sing assure themselves that no karaoke bar in the world would admit them that makes me feel, well.....numb. It's a pleasant distraction for a while (if you have the volume on mute). I'm not the best looking guy on the planet by far, and I can't sing. The thing is, my family KNOWS I can't sing, and they have told me in no uncertain terms that I can't. No delusions here.

Some twin news now:

About a week ago, I was driving with the twins in the back, and a car pulls out in front of me and goes -5 mph. I said, "Jeez". Out fo the back I hear from Logan one word: "idiot".

Christmas

The best part of the holiday (besides the most important fact that it is Jesus' birthday) is that moment when two sleepy eyed little boys went downstairs to find that Santa Claus brought them exactly what they wanted. I didn't care if I never got a present. The joy and awe on their faces was enough to last all year.

Now, we just have to find a place to put all the toys.

Oh, yeah

One more thing....I just have to get this off of my chest, then I'll leave it alone.

This morning, I took the twins to day care, as usual, and was looking forward to a nice ride home listening to my favorite radio host, Glenn Beck.

Well, I get in the truck, turn on the radio, and set the station to the talk station. Instead of hearing the wit and wisdom...(okay, the wit, at least) of Mr. Beck, I hear Tejano music!!

Now, it wouldn't be so bad, but we have more or less 20 stations here in this area of Texas. about 12 of them are Tejano stations. One rock, one English Christian, on Spanish Christian, one sports, one news/talk, NPR, THREE hip/hop, rap crap, pop music. They all sound the same. Honestly. Radio is getting as bad as TV.

I may need to get my XM radio out of my truck and put it in the family car.

'Tis the season

Yesterday, the twins officially turned four. I sang "Happy Birthday" to them and they looked at me like I had three heads. I know they were thinking, "We already had our party, so we're four. You're a little late, old man."

Just a couple of quick exchanges that happened since last post:

Me (to The Boss): Well, I am cleaning upstairs. I'm about halfway done. I'm just taking a break.

Connor (after crawling in my lap): That room's not going to clean itself!!

Me and The Boss: (Laughing hysterically)

Another one:

Me: Yeah, our decorations we got at KMart look like redneck decorations!

The Boss: I don't care...they're festive, dammit!!

Logan (with stern look to The Boss): Do you kiss your mother with that mouth!?

Me and The Boss: (Laughing hysterically)

4 days until Christmas.

The Cowboys

My new favorite Dallas Cowboy is Martin Gramatica. He hit a 46 yard field goal with 1 second left to beat the NY Giants for the NFC East lead.

Also, the Colts lost to Tennessee, and Rex Grossman for the Bears sucked. The defense won that game for them.

The shoe dropped

Yes, gentle readers, about two weeks ago, I was fired from the toy store. The reason I was given was that I couldn't handle a high-pressure environment (I am trained as a paramedic, remember), and that some things were wrong with how the deposits played out. Well, you know, when new cashiers drawers are off, the deposit will be off.
The real reason, I surmised after talkign to the other assistant manager, is that the district manager and store manager allegedly wanted to bring in an assistant manager from their old place of employment to the current one. Since I was the one who had the most talking-to's about stepping up my performance (and did, so the regional manager told me), I was fired first.
I found, on the state workforce page, that the other assistant manager spot was up for grabs as well. The other asst. manager didn't seemed surprised, and she has another (and much better paying) job waiting for her.
I'll just keep my chin up, pray, and keep persuing work. I have some unemployment coming to me, and I'll have a job soon. I know that God is looking out for me.

Finally

It's here....the opening of my store today. I have been chomping at the bit for this to happen!! It's going to be hectic, but good for me. I spent last night getting our floor waxed, and moving and erstacking the bulk stack. I hope everything looked alright afterwards. I didn't get a call from my manager that it sucked, but that doesn't mean he won't get on me (if it wasn't up to his standards) when I get there today. We'll just see. Pray and wish me luck.

Work, work, work...

Here's been my life...Work, eat, play with my boys, sleep....Sometimes not in that order!! Anyway, I was working one day with my regulation khakis, navy blue shirt with the logo on it, and my lanyard around my neck (I have to. I wouldn't wear an orange lanyard anywhere else on Earth.) when TWO, not one, but TWO people ask me the same stupid question...
"Excuse me, do you work here?" Then, we had some items buy one, get one half off. The signs say "FAMOUS BRANDS"(in BOLD LETTERS) and which brands were buy one, get one for half price (also in BOLD LETTERS). People would ask, "Excuse me, which famous brands are buy one, get one for half price?" I would point to the brand name. Man, I'm loving retail!!

Money, money, money

I have to make it. So, I am working at Lowe's to make some. I am starting as assistant manager with KB Toys probably next week, but we'll see. I was assured I am in, it's just a logistical matter. My feet hurt, but I like it. I get to talk to people. Money, though, is dirty. I feel it on my hands after I have handled it, and it's just nasty. After one hour of handling it, I feel like I did those 2 or 3 days after I planted all our plants and flowers at our house in San Antonio. Oh, I got my final rejection letter from the syndicators. Yay!! Now, I just need to write another column. When I have time.

Okay...had my first day of Lowe's training....boring...but I got a good feel about it. Tomorrow, I have an interview with K B Toys at 5 p.m. We'll see if I get a good feeling about that one.

I have Jobs

That's right...I have 2 people who want me to work for them. Lowe's offered me a cashier position for $9 an hour, but it's seasonal...no benefits until it becomes permanent, IF it does. KB Toys asked told me they decided to "go foward with me" for an assistant manager position at the brand new store they are opening. 10 bucks and hour, but benefits, plus I would have to drive a little ways. I'll keep everyone posted.

I know

Yeha, yeah, yeah....it's been a week or so since I have posted. There's really nothing to post, other than me going on job interviews and doing the whole dad thing. I do have some irons in the fire still. My last paycheck got lost in the mail, so I had to make a special trip today to sign some stop payment paperwork, and I have to go back tomorrow to pick up my new check. Ah, the glory of the USPS. More when something happens.

Bah, HUMBUG!!

It's my last day of work at the College, and it's also my 36th (read: OLD) birthday.

Wife and kids threw me a Star Wars party. They were all wearing Darth vader helmet masks, and my in-laws and a friend of ours came over. Had cake, blew out the candles, and Logan and Connor helped me open presents. They them proceeded to wear my new shirts I got until bathtime.

I have a lead or two on jobs. I am still looking.

My sister called me already this morning. (Thanks, Kris).

I'll keep everyone posted on what happens next.